Mission Statement

To improve the quality of life for others by offering or repairing the tools that help our clients make cleaner and healthier homes for their family. Our friendly, knowledgeable and professional staff will help inspire, educate and problem-solve with a focus on the value of quality.

About Us

Our story is rooted in a young Mark Powell who in 1957, at age 26, began a career in door to door sales, starting with encyclopedias in Mexico City. The young man from Corpus Christi, Texas was barely able to speak Spanish at the time but had help from a mentor and his internal drive to succeed. Powell learned the art of sales and became fluent in both the Spanish language and Mexican culture along the way. Powell returned to Texas in 1963 and quickly adapted his skill set to Kirby vacuums and a year or two later offered the Rainbow vacuum system.

Mary Marek, a school teacher, joined Mark Powell in marriage and business; combining her skills in organization and discipline with his ambition and knowledge of vacuum cleaners to open up Powell Vacuums on Southwest Military Drive, in south San Antonio, in the Fall of 1966. By the 1970’s Powell Vacuums was offering many other quality makes and models of vacuum cleaners while offering service on virtually any sweeper brand. Their quality products and service led to steady growth. In 1974 a fire destroyed the original school house housing the young company. Mark and Mary Powell rebuilt the store.

In the spring of 1986, Gerrit Dinkla, at the age of 13, moved from doing odd jobs around the residence of his neighbors, the Powell’s, to a part time summer position at their vacuum store. The mentorship Mark Powell had received 30 years earlier was now being paid forward on the young new comer. By 1990, barely out of high school, Dinkla would become the store manager. Sadly, in the winter of 1998, Mark Powell, Dinkla’s mentor and friend, succumbed to a battle with cancer.

Just 2 years later, skilled in all aspects of the trade taught by Mark and Mary Powell, Dinkla was ready to take the reins of Powell Vacuum’s. The Powell name and reputation was well known. So the only change to the name was adding “& Allergy” to reflect a growing demand for high filtration vacuum cleaners and other products for our many allergy suffering clients. Powell Vacuum & Allergy continues today, after nearly 60 years, it strives to fulfill its mission, to help people make cleaner and healthier homes.

From our family to yours, thank you for your continued help in our “suck-cess.”